Simple Living

Exploring Minimalism: Defining My Approach I’ve delved into various minimalist blogs and videos and noticed recurring themes that characterize different types of minimalism, often categorized by three main characteristics: Quantity , Quality , and Variety . Types of Minimalism Extreme Minimalist = Survivalist Extreme Minimalists live with just a few unique items, often in tiny homes or even out of their cars. They can fit their entire life into a single backpack, embodying the nomadic spirit of modern times. Quantity : LOW Quality : HIGH (ideally) Variety : LOW Casual Minimalist Casual Minimalists maintain a greater quantity than Extreme Minimalists and often fluctuate between quantity and variety. For instance, they may own multiple versions of the same item, like five white T-shirts or five T-shirts of different colors. I consider myself a Casual Minimalist, as I limit my T-shirts to three colors (white, grey, and black) with a total of seven. Quantity : MEDIUM* Quality : HIGH (ideal...

Portable Battery Pack Experience I found a portable battery pack on sale at Lotte World for 11,000 Won. The price was low, likely due to its fixed adapter for Mini-USB / Lightning connections, which will soon become obsolete as USB-C becomes the standard. However, for now, most of my devices still use these connections. Initial Impressions I'm pleased with the much larger capacity of 5,000 mAh, especially since I was previously relying on a smaller 2,200 mAh battery pack. I’m not a fan of the massive 10,000 mAh or larger models, so I thought this one would be more than sufficient for my brief trips. Update (9/10/18) Unfortunately, my experience took a turn for the worse. This battery pack has proven to be quite disappointing! Other than a blinking blue light, there’s no indication of how much charge remains. It also doesn’t seem to recharge properly; after a few minutes, it just stops blinking. I found myself needing to reconnect the charging cable repeatedly, and each time it only...

A Week in South Korea: Embracing the Culture and Cuisine I decided to spend a full week in South Korea rather than split my time between two countries. This turned out to be a wise decision, allowing me to relax and take a leisurely pace. In the past, I had only shorter stays of a few days in Busan, leaving me feeling like I couldn’t fully experience certain places. By spending an entire week here, I was able to truly immerse myself in the culture, and now I'm satisfied with brief visits in the future. Day 1: Incheon Hyatt I arrived in the evening and spent my first night at the Hyatt. After settling in, I ordered room service, enjoying pasta and a Caesar salad. The hotel had a mini-fridge, and I tried a Cass Beer, which was surprisingly refreshing.   Day 2: KTX (Incheon -> Seoul -> Busan) Due to the Olympics, there was no direct train connection from Incheon to Busan, so I made a brief stopover at Seoul Station. I picked up a box lunch and enjoyed my first cup of coffee in B...

Blog Update: Merging Coffee Study Talk and Simple Living I've created a second blog called Coffee Study Talk . For the most part, my original blog, Simple Living , will focus on my technology-related hobbies: Watches Video Games Headphones Technology Misc. The second blog, Coffee Study Talk , was intended to cover everything else and be focused on: Coffee Liquor (mostly Whiskey) Traveling My Studies Fountain Pens Update - June 2024 I've decided to merge the blogs, as it wasn't worth the hassle of maintaining two separate sites. I don't get many views, and it has become more of an inventory and personal journal for me. This way, I can consolidate my interests into one space, making it easier to manage and share my thoughts on both technology and my other passions.

Pilot Custom 74 Review I purchased a Pilot Custom 74 with a Soft Fine Nib for about $70 on Amazon. I also ordered a Con-70 Ink Converter, but for now, I'm using a standard blue ink cartridge. Initial Thoughts The pen is quite nice and naturally better than the Pilot Metropolitans that I have relied on for several months. However, I was somewhat disappointed by how the barrel of the pen curves inward before connecting with the cap. I would have preferred a nicer fit and finish comparable to the Platinum Century 3776. The nib is also much more subdued and almost the exact same size as the Pilot Metropolitan's nib. Visually, it is more appealing with its added engraving, but unless you write with it, it looks almost identical to a Metropolitan nib. In short, I was hoping for a pen that was both an excellent writer and a bit more ostentatious, similar to the Platinum 3776. I will likely have to order a replacement 3776 in Chartres Bleu, probably around August of this year, as I rea...

Setting My Sights on Data Analytics Certification I have set my sights on my first certification in my journey to the Data Analytics realm, specifically the Microsoft MTA Exam - 98-381 - Introduction to Programming with Python. My Preparation Books Intro to Python, 5th Edition - Mark Lutz Programming in Python - Mark Lutz Self-Practice Writing Python applications Timeline 180 Days (December 2017 – May 2018) Tentative Exam Date : Early May 2018 Note I won't feel competent in Python until I have spent at least a full year writing serious code. For now, I want to understand the basics and apply them at work. I have some small projects in mind to gain practical experience with Python, and I plan to implement them in 2018. I consider this the foundational step to solidify my Python knowledge. Updates Update (2/1/18) I got busy at work and had to push back my Python studies. I am still studying, but my progress is slower than I had hoped. However, I am committed to continuing. Update ...

Starting My Journey into Data Science It's time to start studying again, and I've decided against pursuing .NET/Web Programming in favor of Data Science. I've only begun researching what I need to learn to get better acquainted with Data Science, and for now, I will focus on Python Programming. I'm already pretty good with SQL and Relational Databases (SQL Server, Oracle), but there's much more to explore. Beyond Math and Statistics, I want to understand how to work with unstructured data. Subject List My initial study list (subject to change as I learn what I need) includes the following topics, presented in no particular order: Python Language R Language MongoDB / NoSQL Big Data (Hadoop, Hive) Cloud Tools (Amazon S3) Additionally, I will need to brush up on my Math and Statistics skills, as it has been a few years since university. Reading Estimate 4,000 Pages [5 to 6 books, each 500 to 800 pages] 10 months [100 pages per week] // Estimated Completion Time: Octo...

Here’s a list of the Apple Watch Activity Achievement Challenge badges available for 2017, which were offered for one day only: 2017 Apple Watch Activity Achievement Challenge Badges April 22: Earth Day May 14: Mother's Day July 15: National Park Day November 11: Veteran's Day November 23: Thanksgiving Day

Comparison of Klipsch R6i and AKG EO-IG955 Earbuds Having invested in the Klipsch R6i earbuds back in 2016, I’ve found them to be quite useful for short transit and plane trips. They perform significantly better than the stock Apple earbuds or the AKG EO-IG955s that come with Samsung's Galaxy S8. After recently acquiring a free pair of the AKG IG955s and spending some time with them, I can appreciate both models for different purposes. Specifications Klipsch R6i Specs: Driver Size: 6.5mm Frequency Response: 10 ~ 19,000 Hz Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW Impedance: 18 Ohms Noise Isolation: -22 dB Connector: 3.5mm Plug (Gold) Cable Type: Flat (Tangle-Free) Features: Microphone, In-Line Control (Volume Up/Down, Start/Pause) Price: $60 @ Amazon AKG EO-IG955 Specs: Driver Size: Unknown Frequency Response: 20 ~ 20,000 Hz* Sensitivity: 93.2 dB/mW Impedance: 32 Ohms Connector: 3.5mm Plug (Non-Gold) Cable Type: Partial Braided (Sorta Tangle-Free) Features: Microphone, In-Line Control...

Reflections on Yukio Mishima's Sea of Fertility Tetralogy: The Decay of the Angel Having recently finished the fourth and final book of Yukio Mishima's Sea of Fertility tetralogy, titled The Decay of the Angel , I wanted to share my thoughts. This series was meant to be Mishima's masterpiece, and although I’ve only read the last two installments, I can say they offer a rich and engaging experience, though perhaps not on the same level as Tolstoy's War and Peace . A Profound Exploration of Life and Death I found The Decay of the Angel to be an enthralling read that raises profound questions about how we live our lives and confront our inevitable mortality. A particularly poignant observation I came across was the idea that the tetralogy can be summed up in Mr. Honda's realization that we have just "one shot at life." This concept resonates throughout the narrative and invites readers to reflect on the choices we make. Insights into Post-War Japan While I...

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs. ATH-MSR7: A Comparative Review Having owned both the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and ATH-MSR7 headphones for several months now, I wanted to provide a thorough comparison between these two models. While the M50x has achieved legendary status for its value, the MSR7 appears to be a worthy successor. Price: M50x Wins ATH-M50x : MSRP around $169 USD (typically found on Amazon for $130 to $150). ATH-MSR7 : MSRP for $249 USD, but often available for around $200. The M50x offers a more budget-friendly option, making it an attractive choice for those looking for quality without breaking the bank. Sound Quality: MSR7 Wins Both models feature 45mm drivers, but there are notable differences in their specifications: MSR7 Frequency Range: 5 Hz – 40,000 Hz Impedance: 35 Ohm Power Handling: 2,000 mW M50x Frequency Range: 15 Hz – 28,000 Hz Impedance: 38 Ohm Power Handling: 1,600 mW In terms of sound quality, the MSR7s outperform the M50x with a tighter response, improved defin...

Exploring Brandy: My First Experience with Hennessy VSOP As I aimed to broaden my palate beyond whisky, I dove into the fascinating world of brandies, particularly the renowned French cognacs. With so many varieties and brands available, I was excited to start my journey. For my initial exploration, I chose a VSOP from the House of Hennessy (LVMH) for about $18 USD in a 200 mL bottle. Initial Reaction Upon my first taste, I found the Hennessy VSOP to be flavorful and sweet, with a pleasant nose. In terms of taste, it struck me as being on par with Johnnie Walker Black but less complex than Highland Park 12. The sweetness was reminiscent of Macallan 12, and I was surprised by the syrupy viscosity, akin to adding maple syrup to a less-than-stellar bottle of whisky. While this was unexpected, it wasn't off-putting; it just highlighted how different cognac can be from whisky. Although I don’t see myself abandoning whisky for cognac, I appreciate how this experience enhances my understa...

Seiko Orange Monster on Bonetto Cinturini 285 Strap Review I recently gave the Seiko Orange Monster a try on the Bonetto Cinturini 285 strap, and I was pleasantly surprised by the transformation. Having never been a fan of the stock metal bracelet, the switch to a black rubber strap made a notable difference in both aesthetics and comfort. Aesthetic Appeal The Bonetto Cinturini 285 strap complements the bold design of the Orange Monster beautifully. The black rubber provides a sleek, sporty look that enhances the watch's dive capabilities while maintaining its iconic appeal. The strap’s design also aligns well with the Orange Monster's vibrant dial, creating a striking contrast that’s both functional and stylish. Comfort and Durability One of the standout features of the Bonetto strap is its comfort. It feels soft against the skin, making it ideal for everyday wear, especially in warmer weather or during aquatic activities. The strap's flexibility allows for a snug fit, ens...